Monthly Archives: May 2014

‘Rough sex’ killed prostitute, court hears


Mbombela – A man accused of murdering a prostitute pleaded not guilty to the crime on Monday and told the Nelspruit Circuit of the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that the woman died during rough sex.

Paul Andrew Opperman, 25, pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery, but guilty to culpable homicide, a Sapa correspondent reported.

He was arrested on 9 April last year after being accused of robbing sex worker Anita Tumelo Loba, from Ga Matole near Steelpoort, of R70 cash and a Nokia cellphone, and of killing her.

Opperman testified that he picked Loba up in Steelpoort on 13 March last year.

“The woman asked to have rough sex with me and she even asked that I beat her up. When I did and when she screamed, I thought she was enjoying the sex and was in ecstasy,” Opperman testified.

He later realised she was unconscious.

“I did not mean to kill her,” he said.

He then decided to take her belongings and dump her body.

According to the charge sheet, Opperman was driving his green Opel Corsa at about 20:00 on the night in question when he stopped at an intersection near the filling station where he picked up Loba.

The charge sheet, which contains horrific photographs of the deceased’s face, adds that Opperman assaulted the deceased several times with an unknown blunt object and further hit her head and face repeatedly against a hard surface.

After realising she was unconscious, the accused then put the woman’s naked body in the boot of his car, drove away from the murder scene and dumped her near a mining area.

The State alleges that Opperman returned to the petrol station and tried to buy R200 petrol using Loba’s R70 cash.

Three garage employees, Nkopeng Sannie Motau, Josias Kgomekebja Mabelane and Harry Harold Mohlala testified that Opperman tried selling them the cellphone for R130 to pay for petrol.

“I refused to buy the cellphone and poured petrol for only R70 in his vehicle,” Mabelane said.

A friend of Loba’s, who is also a prostitute, testified that when Loba had not returned after a long while, she phoned her cellphone but got no answer.

“I called again after five minutes and someone switched it off. When I saw his vehicle at the garage, two of my other friends confronted him and asked him where our friend was.

“He replied he had dropped her off where he had picked her up. As my friends spoke to him, I noticed blood on his clothes and took his car registration,” she said.

The woman said they later called Loba’s family and also alerted the police.

Judge Ebenhaezer Jordaan postponed the trial to Tuesday.

SAPA

Generations welcomes back fan favourite


Thanks to Sophie Ndaba’s Twitpic, we now know that Sebogodi, popularly known as Kenneth Mashaba – his character for years on the soapie, is returning.

In a picture which also featured another returnee, Nambitha Mpumlwana, Ndaba wrote: “We welcome back @NAMBITHA and Seputla! Sooo Blessed to work with such talent!”
For more http://www.timelive.co.za

Marikana activist heading to Parliament


Johannesburg – The EFF activist from Marikana in the North West is heading to Parliament.

“Yes, we have her because of her leadership qualities. She was nominated to go,” Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said on Tuesday.

“She was active in Marikana, she mobilised women in Marikana.”

He could not comment further on Primrose Sonti and referred enquiries to her.

Sonti told Sapa her son Meshack Mzilikazi was one of a large group of Lonmin mineworkers initially arrested for murder and attempted murder relating to the deaths of miners in August 2012 during a strike and a clash with police.

The charges against them were later withdrawn and the Farlam Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate the deaths of 44 people at Marikana, near Rustenburg, during the strike-related unrest in August 2012.

On 16 August, police shot dead 34 people, mostly protesting miners, and at least 78 miners were wounded when police fired on a group gathered at a hill near the mine while trying to disarm and disperse them.

In the preceding week 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike-related violence.

Sonti said she could not comment on her move to Parliament.

According to The New Age, Sonti used to live in a corrugated iron shack but is now set to receive a salary of R80 000 a month, free accommodation, and free flights to attend Parliament.

– SAPA

Could this be the reason behind Solange Knowles’ attack on Jay Z?


Los Angeles – Solange Knowles reportedly attacked Jay Z after she “overreacted” to something he said.

The 27-year-old singer “flipped out” at the rapper, 44, in an elevator at the Met Gala after-party in New York last week because she was offended by a comment he made.

A source told Us Magazine: “Solange flipped out over something Jay had said, that she took the wrong way. She took it too hard or too far. Not sure what it was, but she greatly overreacted.”

Solange was caught on surveillance kicking and clawing her brother-in-law as they left the bash held in the Boom Boom Room at The Standard Hotel in New York City, last Monday.

Jay didn’t appear to retaliate as the brunette beauty screamed in his face, but he did attempt to hold her hands down as their bodyguard struggled to hold her back.

Beyoncé appeared to stay calm and collected throughout the scuffle and watched on helplessly as her sister violently attacked her husband.

However, at one point, the XO hitmaker – who has two-year-old daughter Blue Ivy with Jay – intervened and said something to Solange after she began punching him again.

Solange then stormed out of the elevator with a disgruntled expression plastered across her face as Beyoncé, 32, and Jay followed shortly behind.

The siblings were then seen getting into a car together, while the Holy Grail hitmaker opted to travel alone.

BangShowBiz

Premier Modise welcomes intensified police visibility in the platinum belt


North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed the assurance by Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa that police visibility in the platinum belt is to be intensified in anticipation of Lonmin mineworkers returning to work.

Premier Modise said that increasing police patrols along the routes that workers use to get to the mines and escorting of buses carrying workers will discourage acts of intimidation and violence.

Modise reiterated her call to parties involved in the wage dispute to employ extraordinary measures to end the strike that is now in its 16
th week.  

“Ending the strike will be the first step to avert possible job losses and restoring peace and stability as the protracted strike by AMCU has degenerated into a vicious cycle of violence that has resulted in the brutal killings of non-striking workers, destruction of private and public properties,” Premier Modise said.-TDN
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Bakkie crash: Parents pleaded for bus


Pietermaritzburg – Parents of the pupils who died and were injured in Monday’s bakkie accident had been asking for help to get their children to school since January.
But, they charge, their pleas to the education department fell on deaf ears, forcing them to use the private bakkie of a member of the community to transport their children 10km to the nearest schools.
For more http://www.news24.com

I would rather have my child die – Nigerian dad


Cape Town – The father of one of Nigeria’s kidnapped schoolgirls has reportedly said he would rather have his child die than have her convert to Islam or be exchanged for Boko Haram prisoners.

According to The Telegraph, the man said his daughter was a Christian and would rather she died a “princess” rather than convert to Islam.
For more http://www.news24.com

Top Cape Town mall evacuated after fire


Cape Town – Cavendish Square shopping centre in Cape Town was evacuated on Tuesday morning after a fire broke out in the centre’s Pick n Pay supermarket.

Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Sharon Bosch told News24 that the sprinkler system extinguished the fire, and there were no reported injuries or fatalities.
For more http://www.news24.com

Cosatu to meet minister of transport over tollgate


By Obakeng Maje
The Congress of South African Trade Unions and its affiliates congratulate the ANC on a victory for winning 2014 elections.

Cosatu North West secretary-general Solly Phetoe said it is a clear that workers of this province have gone out in numbers to make sure that the ANC retains its political power in government.

“We want to thank all our members, including in particular all workers who had to endure difficult times in the platinum belt, the farm workers and those who had to insist on their right to go out and vote during working hours” Phetoe said.

Cosatu said they are happy that the police, and the conduct of all workers and the community of the platinum belt, allowed the voting to take place in peace. “We are requesting that we all maintain the spirit of peace in the platinum belt” he said.

Cosatu said they will now call all their affiliates to start doing real work of defending their members against exploitation and dealing with those who gave their members warnings for attending May Day celebration and those farmers who refused to let workers to go out and celebrate workers’ day.

“We must also thank those farmers who made it possible for farm workers to vote including arranging transport for those farm workers.
We are back at our offices. We are now taking our campaign to the streets, in particular against e-tolling, the most expensive toll gate in the RSA, the labour brokers, the campaign for improving our membership service, the fight against union bashing and the fight against gender-based violence” said gaudy Phetoe.

He also call on all members to be positive, unite the federation, fight against the labour brokers and improve the conditions of service for all workers in the North West.

Phetoe call on our government and political party to make sure they do not forget their mandate and make sure that all the outstanding issues of service delivery and the current state of economy is discussed with leaders of the alliance and other stake-holders.

The state of the mines in the province demand a joint discussions with all stake-holders including the role of the trade unions in making sure that lives of workers are improved, says Phetoe.

According to Cosatu, the state must intervene in the current situation and stabilize the mining industry.

“We call on our government to take our issues seriously. We have been marching against the expensive toll gate; we have presented memos to both national and provincial government since 2011; we now want action; the toll gate must be reduced.”

“Labour brokers in government must go; the exploitation of workers at our international resort, Sun City, must come to an end, farmers must stop evicting workers during election time; our poor children in farming communities must be treated like those who are in town” Cosatu said.

Cosatu is now back to the fighting mode of defending its workers at all levels.

“We are meeting with the Department of Transport on the 13th May 2014 in Pretoria, we hope we will bring something that must prove to the workers and community that we in power as the working class of this province.
We will be back in those farms where our poor farm dwellers are exploited. A domestic worker is being paid with clothes from one racist white woman in Swartruggens; this must be exposed and come to an end” concludes Phetoe.

Workers must celebrate the ANC victory with real action to improve the lives of their families and of communities in our North West.-TDN
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Supra Mahumapelo: We will hit the ground running


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- African National Congress North West leadership descended to Taung coverground, in Taung to celebrate their victory after ANC won national elections on 07 May 2014.

The celebrations started on Thursday and ended in Taung where Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district gathered together to celebrate.

The ANC devoted supporters proliferated at Taung coverground to hear the message of thanks from their leaders. The main celebration was hosted at Luthuli House, ANC Headquarters in Johannesburg on Saturday after IEC officially announced the elections results.

The ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo who is destined to succeeds current premier Thandi Modise as new North West premier soon if our mole is to be trusted, graced the event alongside provincial secretary-general Dakota Legoete, NEC member Humprey Mmemezi, North West Legislature spokesperson Mongezi Tsenca, MEC of Sport, Art and Culture mme Tebogo Modise who was representing one of alliances SACP and other high-profile dignitaries.

The event started late but that did not discourage the masses as they welcomed their leadership by ululating and singing struggle songs.

ANC North West chairperson Supra Mahumapelo welcomed and thanked all ANC volunteers. He also sent his gratitude to more than 11 million supporters who voted for ANC.

“We would like to welcome and thank those who voted for the ANC. This really shows ANC still have overwhelming support and we must hit the ground running” Mahumapelo said.

He said now the challenges lie ahead as the work starts now.

“We want to assure you great people that service delivery will be our first priority. All unrest we have experienced across the province, will be dealt with. We will send our representatives to come to you the people and try to speed-up the solution” Mahumapelo outlines.

Mahumapelo promulgated that youth development issue will be taken very seriously as the ANC want to empower the youth.

“We are still discussing the issue of teachers college to be re-opened. We expecting Nursing college soon to be here in Taung and our mandate is to turn Taung into a city within three years” said gaudy Mahumapelo.

The crowd screamed “Mahumapelo for premier with excitement and went bizarre when he dances to Ytjhukutjha song.

Mahumapelo became wry when asked about the newly-born political party Economic Freedom Fighters as now the official opposition party in the province.

“We are unfazed because ANC is an elephant, no one can defeat this animal. We have seen many political parties formed and disappeared in thin air. What you journalists and analysts are not aware of is, all ANC breakaway political parties never last. We have seen one leader of other political party ‘eating a hat’ on national television and I was surprised if he is mentally-handicapped or what” he smiles.

NEC of Sasco Sebang Motlhabi valorously said ANC need more youth in high ranks so that the youth’s voices can be heard. “We need more youth to occupy high seats come Local government elections. More youth need to be empowered and that will help the mandate of the ANC to gain more momentum in economical development” Motlhabi said.

Mahumapelo urged all public servants to be more effective and know that they have been elected by the people, so they need to serve the masses. He said the issue of MEC’s diary need to be looked at, as they must not occupy offices without going to the people who elected them.

“We urge all ANC elected persons to serve the masses effectively. Those who commit corruption and enriched themselves with public money, will meet the might law of the ANC. MEC’s and other bigwigs need to come to the party. They need to raise their hands and to be counted” he concludes.

ANC North West slaughtered six cows for celebration in Taung.-TDN
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